Distorted Reasoning at Annapolis

Why the conference is doomed to failure.

One of the high points at which the drama could have turned into a farce within seconds occurred nine years ago at the Wye Plantation summit. After exhausting and debilitating efforts, we received from Yasser Arafat a promise (even if half-hearted and unwilling) to delete from the Palestinian Charter the sections calling for the destruction of Israel.

Upon leaving the conference room, we saw one of the closest advisers of President Bill Clinton and proudly told him about our achievement.

"Are you out of your minds?" he shouted. "He's going to be killed because of that. He is too weak for dramatic steps like that. First he has to be strengthened!"

I recalled this tragic-comic story a few days ago as I was talking with a player from the international elements engaged in building up the destroyed Palestinian economy. When I asked him why they weren't making aid to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) contingent on stopping the anti-Israeli incitement on the official television channel and in the Palestinian education system, he replied, "Abu Mazen is so weak, and this is not a popular step. First of all, it is necessary to strengthen him and afterward it will be possible to demand something of him."

I have never understood this strange reasoning: First strengthen the weak leader, by giving legitimization to anti-Israeli actions that he allows (or encourages, and sometimes even operates) and then, once the anti-Israeli positions have made him popular, expect that he will suddenly change his spots and lead his people determinedly toward the desired peace.

This distorted approach has become a kind of sacred cow. "We must strengthen Abu Mazen," say Israel's leaders as a kind of mantra. It is of no importance that along the way they are educating another generation of Palestinians to hatred, violence and the aspiration to destroy Israel. It is of no importance that the way to the strengthening is the diametric opposite of peace and dialogue. The main thing is that we are strengthening Abu Mazen.

The old argument of President Shimon Peres and Meretz MK Yossi Beilin and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on "with whom to make peace, a strong leader or a weak leader" is no longer relevant. A look back over the years since the Oslo Accords shows clearly that the direction in which Palestinian society has marched is not the direction of peace. It was all in all just a hudna (truce) before another intifada. And when the society is becoming more extreme, what difference is it to us if the leader is strong or weak?

It is true that to carry out courageous reforms and educate the people to peace, a strong and bold leader is needed. Leaders like that, who understand the need for education toward peace and reforms, do exist -- but not in the Muqata in Ramallah. These are people who are not afraid to challenge the tyranny of the weak leader and who believe in building a civil society as a necessary foundation for any progress on the road to peace.

As chairman of the Institute for Strategic Studies, I meet them quite frequently. It is true that they are weak, but for one reason only: We ourselves are weakening them by giving unreserved support to "moderate" tyrants. The justification that support for these troublemakers weakens the only element that is capable of stopping Hamas doesn't hold water: It is precisely the strengthening of an antidemocratic regime and the absence of an alternative that are pushing the public into the arms of fundamentalists, into the arms of Hamas.

Annapolis is doomed to failure not because we or the Palestinians have not made enough concessions -- it is doomed to failure because it is built on distorted reasoning to the effect that it is possible to move ahead and make a deal with some leader and totally ignore what is really happening in Palestinian society. In this, to our regret, Annapolis has become another tragic-farcical Middle Eastern scene.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 38

(38)
Rene Paul delavarre,
December 21, 2007 7:18 AM

I LOVE ISRAEL

Israel is the bravest, smartest, most misunderstood nation on earth. THey have transformed a barren desert into a thriving oasis. Meanwhile Arabs have spent 60 years trying to destroy her. There is no "occupation" "Palestine" and "Palestinian" are liberal buzz words which have no meaning.A "Palestinian" is an Arab, no different than the ones in Egypt or Syria.

(37)
Mike (UK),
December 8, 2007 2:05 PM

At last some reality!

Very good article. I wonder what would have happened if we had tried to 'strengthen' Hitler in 1938-9 in order to achieve peace??! The stupidity of our diplomats and negotiators has to be seen to be believed!

(36)
Anonymous,
November 30, 2007 8:31 AM

Israel be prepared

Israel must be prepared for the worstpossible senario.Many Arab countries are falling into extremist hands.

(35)
Anonymous,
November 30, 2007 6:34 AM

not Smart

IF you give any part of Jerusaleum to arabs . Hamas will be on your doorstepthat will be the beginning of the end of ISrael. dont do IT

(34)
Gerald Pergament,
November 30, 2007 4:47 AM

Anapolis's failure

Why will Anapolis's agreements, such as they are, fail? Yes, the leaders are weak, and yes the agreements are meaningless. But, the real reason this conference, like all the rest, has been offered because the U.S. presidents' who came up with the idea of a conference to "solve the Middle East Crisis" had a secondary political motive for holding a meeting between Israel and the Palestinians.If our current president and past presidents were truly concerned with peace in the Middle East they would make the decision to hold a peace conference at the beginning of their terms in office. Let us speculate that were each of those conferences to have taken place one year after the first term of office for each president, each of those adminstrations would have had time (at least 3 years, and if reelected, 6 years) to continue to hold diplomatic meetings with all parties to a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crises.But, this conference, like almost all the rest in the past, was designed to give the president a little credibility for the sake of history. I think, in the current situation, were the current president really intent on caring about a positive outcome to this latest half-hearted attempt to find a solution to this legiondary "problem" the president probably would have at least learned how to pronounce the names of the participants. But NO, it was rushed into existance so quickly that he wasn't able to learn how to speak their names correctly. It shows that this conference, like almost all the previous conferences, was designed to make the pres. look good, at least for history's sake.

(33)
Aaron Seruya,
November 29, 2007 9:43 PM

Land for "peace" is dangerous, suicidal and forbidden.

Annapolis was a "smashing success" to Israel's haters and for misguided or suicidal idealists who don't agree with what the Torah tells us about the Land which G-d gave to the Jewish People. Peace cannot come to the Holy Land while our enemies are occupying the Jewish Lands.........so yes I am against the Arab "occupation" of Jewish Lands. The Sinai which the Arabs are occupying belongs to the Jewish People. And so are parts of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Gaza, Judea and Sumaria etc etc and of course the Temple Mount where the golden dome mosque must be removed immediately............then maybe true peace can come about. Giving away Jewish lands to our enemies puts Israel and it's people in mortal danger as we have seen already.......... It's quite simple. And having Arabs living in Israel makes Israel more dangerous to live in than without them.........unless the Arabs living there agree to abide by Jewish laws living in a Jewish Land of Israel....if not they must be asked to leave and if they don't leave peacefully they are to be deported forcefully. At least Israel will be willing to have Arabs or any gentile live in Israel as "guest residents" and with respect........not like other Arab countries where Jews are not allowed to even enter to visit. Rabbi Meir Kahane, of blessed memory, was so right. If you were stranded without a passport.............would you rather be stranded in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia or Israel? Just a simple question. It is by keeping our Jewish Lands and settling it properly that we gain true peace. Giving away the Land which G-d gave us (Jewish People) Himself and which He Himself says not to give away or peace will not come.........by giving away the land ....especially to our enemies,,,,,,,,,,,,that is NOT going to bring peace, but war. It also endagers the lives of Jews........We should obey what G-d says. And why would you put Jews in danger? Why give away Land to enemies who want to destroy you? Does it make sense?.

We must not put Israel it in a vulnerable position for it's destruction and the death of it's People.........which also contradicts the Torah's way and of it's borders. With love of Jews and Israel Aaron Seruya San Francisco

(32)
Yaakov,
November 29, 2007 10:08 AM

The TRUTH IS...

I am sorry but Natan does not go far enough. THE PA is the same as Hamas when it comes to Israel. It wishes to destroy Israel just as the average All the man on the Arab street wishes.All the terrorist organizations work together. Even if they put up a facade that they don't.Abbas is not weak. He just lascks the conviction to stop terrorism. He hasn;t changed his goal. He just plans to destroy Israel in stages.

(31)
Joyce,
November 29, 2007 1:54 AM

I really thank G-d for this lovely website, where we get to express our views. G-d Bless Each one of You out there who is making this website a success.

Coming to this article, I think only G-d can put an end to this issue, which is going on for so long. Have all of us ever really thought deeply about this - so many years, nobody in this world has been able to solve this issue completely. G-d willing, this is the time for the arrival of the Messiah. I feel that if each one of us really prays from the bottommost corner of our hearts,our prayers will not go in vain. Each prayer from deep within our hearts, will form a chain to reach Heaven. Let us - each one of us, in every corner of the world, every day whenever possible, pray for the Messiah, when we can really have peace. May the Messiah come in our times. Amen.

(30)
Anonymous,
November 28, 2007 6:55 AM

It was an expensive puppet show at annapolis

Now that some momentem has been stirred up --people emerged from their apathetic state long enough to protest the destruction of Jerusalem--maybe we can find a way to rid Israel of the whole can of worms that is called a government over there before more people have to suffer from their determination to destroy the whole country. How can one man ,Omert ,be allowed to continue to remain in office when everyone sees what he intends to do?

(29)
Greg,
November 28, 2007 3:03 AM

Talk about weak.

If anyone at Annapolis is weak, its Olmert.

(28)
Michael Ackerman,
November 28, 2007 1:13 AM

I agree with Minister Sharansky 100%.

Is it possible that Israeli society and government will recognize this existential threat in time for change to occur, or will Israel's left and indicted (or convicted) criminal leadership continue to capitulate to the point of national suicide? Where have all the true LEADERS gone?

(27)
Marion,
November 27, 2007 3:07 PM

REMEMBER GUSH KATIF!!!

After all the Jews were forcibly evacuated from Gush Katif by their own government, what was the result? The Palestinians smashed all the greenhouses that the Israelis left for them to 'start over' - this after Jews in the USA paid $14 million dollars and gave it as a gift. There is no man on earth who can bring peace to this tiny nation - the Palestinians are too rabidly anti-Jew. However, God is in control and He will only allow so much.

This whole Annapolis thing is to give some credence to George Bush's presidency before he leaves office.

(26)
Marion,
November 27, 2007 2:38 PM

Annapolis

The whole point of this exercise is for Bush to try to gain some kudos before he exits the presidential office. He is no friend of Israel's.

(25)
Dvirah,
November 27, 2007 2:13 PM

Agree with Anonymous 11/25/07 8:23 PM

Golda Meir's comment is valid even today. Who are the shahidim? Boys of under 20 usually. Have any of you seen what is taught in Palestinian kindergardens and on their children's TV programs? I have and it is apalling! They are taught firstly, to hate and secondly, to express that hatred thru acts of terror such as bombings, kidnappings, etc. Their equivalent of a "how to" program includes building bombs and using machine guns. 3-4 year olds act out a kidnapping in their nursery school performances. Who can imagine that these people want peace?

(24)
Andy,
November 27, 2007 9:08 AM

building an Arab coalition against Iran

David Brooks in the NY Times writes that this gathering is about building an Arab coalition to force regime change in Iran and/or halting Iran's influence in the region and thwarting it's drive to become a nuclear power. The pretext to get these folks together is the Israel/Palestine problem. Makes sense to me.

(23)
Anonymous,
November 26, 2007 11:23 PM

skewed history

Cathy, you're trying to establish a 1,400-year-old war with our neighbors as an excuse for not wanting peace. But the history books suggest something different. For the better part of 2,000 years, our real enemy was the Christians. Is there anybody who remembers any of the horrible things the Christians did to us? No one could ever have imagined that we would one day live peacefully among them. (Though the Christiano-fascists who run the United States are hardly friends of the Jewish people. But that's another story.)

Our 60-year battle with our Muslim neighbors pales in comparison. Will we leave Annapolis joining hands around the campfire? Not a chance. But big things happen in stages. That's all Annapolis is--a stage. Maybe it's an early one, maybe not. But either way it's an important one.

Regarding the Begin comment, keep in mind that his unilateral expansion of Israel's borders plays a big part in the mess we're in today. He went to Camp David because Jimmy Carter gave him little choice: Share the spotlight or become a villain in your own right.

(22)
Ken,
November 26, 2007 1:37 PM

We'd better make sure it fails. If Annapolis "succeeds", Israel won't last a decade.

I believe the conference could "succeed" because our almost certainly criminal P.M. will sign just about anything, no matter how harmful to Israel. His only consideration is staying in power and out of jail. Olmert would willingly sign an agreement ceding much of our capital and our entire heartland to our mortal enemies, while leaving the door open to their mass influx to Israel. Obviously, Israel wouldn't last a decade under such circumstances but such a deal would be celebrated as a "success". That is why everyone who loves Israel must do whatever is necessary to assure Annapolis fails. We literally can't live with Annapolis.

(21)
ginger,
November 26, 2007 9:34 AM

NEVER NEVER FORGET

It is hard for me not to remember the peace meeting with Pres Carter standing between to people who hated each other. The most important thing we must never forget that 1- Isreal is the only country today and yesterday that won a war in only 6 days and 2- Isreal is the only country that Hassiam give in a covert to Abramham, Issac and Jacob. When USA people remenber these to important things you should never give something away when it belongs to all not for money or for life. The more you give to then the more they what.The Arab countries what to put Israel in to the Sea and kill all the people who dont belive there way and dont think anything is going to change until we as the western world wakes up.

(20)
JTP,
November 26, 2007 9:26 AM

Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone

Deuteronomy 27:17"Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

If it is a curse to move a man's boundary how much more Hashem's!

(19)
Anonymous,
November 26, 2007 4:05 AM

leaders whounderstand the need fior eduactional reform. a

It would be good to know the poeple that Mr Sharansky refers to so that a proper dialogue can be established

(18)
M. Weiss,
November 25, 2007 9:34 PM

Jewish Pride

Annapolis,Shmalappolis.. Jews all over need to wake up! G-D has been so good to us & has given us our land and we dare not give up an inch for HIS sake!(Ever hear the term For G-ds sake? This is the correct usage for it:) Then the almighty will see, we deserve to live in peace and will pave the way for us!

(17)
Anonymous,
November 25, 2007 8:23 PM

What peace requires

I heard a wise person cite Golda Meir disapprovingly. She said that peace won't come to Israel until the Arabs love their children more than they hate Israel. This man said that peace won't come to Israel until the Jews love their own children more than they are afraid of the Arabs.

As to the anonymous slur against Menachem Begin, remind me who it is that was able to negotiate successfully with Anwar Sadat.

(16)
Cathy Ewen,
November 25, 2007 7:17 PM

It will never work

In 5700 plus years Israel's neighbors have hated her, destroyed her, scattered her and when she came back together, hated her even more.Why would anyone think that the same people with the same staid mindset for almost 6,000 years would all of a sudden regocnize her Right to exist?

That is as laughable as George Bush bringing democarcy to Iraq, Iran or Saudi Arabia or any other backward looking Islamic theocracy or dictatorship.(Bush by the way lives in a Republic with democratic principles.)

Prepare to continually defend yourselves from those who do not get the weak leader theory or the fact that your neighbors have hated you ever since Hagar and Ishmael left the tent so Isaac could be the heir to his father's fortunes. Yes I do have a jaded view but I see history repeating itself--again.

(15)
kostya,
November 25, 2007 5:41 PM

How insightful!

If Sharansky is correct, and I think he is,we need to learn from negotiations in the past. To negotiate with an enemy is already to empower him to a great degree. Clinton made Arafat a great man. Clinton wanted Arafat to make him one by making peace, which Arafat either could not or would not do. I think that Israel is doing too much to support its enemies and giving too much credibility to them. If I was an arab terrorist, I would be thrilled to be at the same table as the State leaders of the US, Syria and Israel.

(14)
R..A. Delao,
November 25, 2007 5:33 PM

Summit due to fail because it is against Torah to deal with these people.

We are not to make a traeties with them. The land is Hashem,s.

(13)
Bettye Tompkins,
November 25, 2007 4:41 PM

Please please try!

I am prayying on my knees that this meeting will mend some misundrstandings. That what we mortals cannot accomplish Our Lord in His infinite wisdom can and will. Do nt, please, go into the meeting with the idea that nothing will be gained by this effort. God can do what we can't ! Too much blood has been shed over this problem With tears in my eyes I pray for for the success of this meeting. Your very good friend of all middle east people Bettye Tompkins

(12)
(: Yoshe Revelle,
November 25, 2007 4:17 PM

(: Pessimism is THE weakness ...

Every fool wants to promote the worst-case scenario. This is the way of the lazy. I pray for success at Annapolis, and thereafter, in bringing world peace.Courage and well-being,Yoshe :)

(11)
Rick,
November 25, 2007 3:02 PM

Israel must not

Israel dare not give up any more of its land.The terrorist will use that land to attack Israel.It has happened over and over again.Israel is a sacred land given to its people it belongs to Israel and no one else.

(10)
Robert Lowy,
November 25, 2007 2:38 PM

Thanks for a differing view

I appreciate all the reaction to my optimism. Perhaps, after reading my original post, I came across as thinking beyond hope. We are all saying the same thing in wanting peace. My major objection was in the use of the word "Doomed." Of course we must enter these talks with our eyes wide open, but to sit, arms crossed, destined to failure, is not the vision the pre named leaders would want. Add to the list Ben Gurion and Moshe Dayan, both of whom negotiated but with wariness, not hopelessness.

(9)
Ari Stotleman,
November 25, 2007 12:35 PM

Peace will never come UNTIL:

1) All nations recognize Israel's right to exist where it is. 2) All nations sign a non-aggression pact like Egypt and Jordan have done. 3) All nations reject and remove the economic boycott of Israeli products and academia. 4) All nations reject and abolish the teaching of anti-Jewish propaganda to their children.Then add three generations to that moment. It won't come a moment sooner.

(8)
Mort,
November 25, 2007 11:59 AM

Failure at Annapolis Depends Upon Expectations

No one can expect peace from Annapolis. At best we can hope for a common statement that the two sides will resume and continue negotiations for peace. The fact that the Saudis or Syrians will attend is irrelevant.

(7)
Anonymous,
November 25, 2007 11:40 AM

not quite

Abbas is moderate in temperament but weak in efficacy. But couldn't the same be said of Olmert? The problem is that this strengthening feels like too little too late. Perhaps if we had made the Gaza withdrawal in this context, and taken Abbas seriously, Hamas wouldn't be running the show there.

As Israel supporters, we're right to be skeptical of a successor to Arafat, who was clearly an enemy of Israel. But I think Palestinians are similarly wary of the current Israeli leadership, based on past experiences with the likes of Begin, Netanyahu, and even Sharon, who were anti-Arab and anti-peace.

Indeed, where are Golda Meir, Abba Eban, and Theodor Herzl when you need them?

(6)
Stan Corbett,
November 25, 2007 10:23 AM

Palestinians do not want peace.

Palestinians do not want peace. They have had nearly 60 years to make peace with Israel and refused to do so. Do not strengthen Abbas for as soon as you do so, he will attack Israel. We must realize that conferences such as the upcoming one are a waste of Israel's time. Keep the Palestinians weak so they won't fulfill their ambition of conquering Israel.

(5)
chava,
November 25, 2007 10:14 AM

Could it be that Israel's present leaders are all FIRM BELIEVERS? They must be, because they're depending on HaShem to save us from their big mistakes. The problem is, HaShem wants to save us, but He wants to see a little hishtadlut (effort, trying) on our part. Just a little -- enough to hang His miracle on.

(4)
Alex Troy,
November 25, 2007 9:41 AM

Annapolis and Versailles

I once had a professor who sought to show the madness of British appeasement in the 1930's by reading to the class an editorial from The Times (of London), defending Hitler from charges he was preparing for war. The editorial denied Hitler's rearmament campaign was a violation of the Versailles Treaty. Incredibly, the editorial insisted Hitler was obeying the spirit of the Treaty because "Mr. Hitler has to re-arm in order to disarm."Such are the sophistries people will employ rather than face hard truth.Peace will not come from Annapolis.

(3)
jamie,
November 25, 2007 9:35 AM

robert you're not optimistic, you're dreaming

robert, we all want peace. but don't let you're passion steer us into mortal danger. have you learned nothing from the recent past? How dare we try suicidal forms of diplomacy that we know puts jweish lives at risk? the shame is on this kind of foolish thinking, exactly the distorted reasoning sharansky is taking to task in this realistic article.

(2)
Robert Lowy,
November 25, 2007 9:21 AM

Shame on us!

For thousands of years, Jews have had to live in hope and fear. Hope is productive, fear is not. While I agree with some of the pragmatic issues presented, the word "doomed" should not be in our vocabulary. In Egypt our people were doomed, yet we escaped, albeit not without a heavy price. The same can be said for W.W.II and the 1948 struggle for a homeland. While any semblance of Shalom is tenuous how dare we not try any and all forms of diplomacy? It is time for nay sayers to be silenced and allow the optimists their turn. Where are Golda Meier, Abba Eban and Theodore Herzl now that we need their passionate voices?

(1)
Michael Ballew,
November 25, 2007 8:54 AM

Reality in an Unreal World

We live in a world that suffers from mass delusion. Only G-d could make reasonable,intelligent people believe nonsense, myths and outright lies, even those that are PROVEN to be so. This is tolerable in non-Jews, but is criminal and suicidal in Jews. Our biggest enemy is the one within. So long as we give credence to the suicidal "Land for Peace" ideology, and continue to be the full partner with peoples who want to completely destroy us, we move further and further away from the destiny Israel has been charged with. G-d help us..

My Christian friends are always speaking about “faith.” To me this sounds a lot like blind faith. Is that really the essence of religion?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

I'm afraid that this is another case of a Christian concept being mis-associated with Judaism.

Let's first define our terms. What is faith?

Webster defines faith as "Belief without proof."

What is knowledge? "An acquaintance with truth, facts or principles through study or investigation."

Faith is usually a product of desire. Have you ever gotten a tip on the market that guarantees you're going to triple your money in a month? A lot of smart people have gotten fleeced because they ignored the evidence and went with their feelings.

Knowledge, on the other hand, is based on evidence. We know there's a place called China because we have too many products in our house saying "made in China." There's a lot of evidence for the existence of China, even though most of us have never been there.

Judaism unequivocally comes down on the side of knowledge, not faith. In Deuteronomy 4:39, the Torah says: "You shall know this day, and understand it well in your heart, that the Almighty is God; in the heaven above and the earth below, there is none other." (This verse is also contained in the prayer, "Aleynu.")

This verse tells us that it is not enough to simply know in your head, intellectually, that God is the Controller of everything. You must know it in your heart! This knowledge is much more profound than an intellectual knowledge. God gave us a brain because he wants us to think rationally about the world, our role in it, and our relationship with God.

A conviction based on desire or feelings alone has no place in Judaism. The Hebrew word "emunah," which is often translated as faith, does not describe a conviction based on feelings or desire. It describes a conviction that is based on evidence.

Once this knowledge is internalized, it effects how a person lives. A person with this knowledge could transform every breathing moment into a mitzvah, for he would do everything for the sake of the heaven. But this is not a "knowledge," that comes easily. Only intensive Torah learning and doing mitzvahs can achieve this knowledge. Every word of Torah we learn moves us just a little bit closer to that goal. And everyone is capable of that.

To learn more, read "The Knowing Heart," by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Feldheim.com). This entire book is an explanation of this verse!

In 350 BCE, the building of the second Holy Temple was completed in Jerusalem, as recorded in the biblical Book of Ezra (6:15). The re-building of the Temple had begun under Cyrus when the Persians first took over the Babylonian empire. The re-building was then interrupted for 18 years, and resumed with the blessing of Darius II, the Persian king whom is said to be the son of Esther. The Second Temple lacked much of the glory of the First Temple: There was no Ark of the Covenant, and the daily miracles and prophets were no longer part of the scenery. The Second Temple would stand for 420 years, before being destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

You shall know this day and consider it within your heart(Deuteronomy 4:39).

Business people who are involved in many transactions employ accountants to analyze their operations and to determine whether or not they are profitable. They may also seek the help of experts to determine which products are making money and which are losing. Such studies allow them to maximize their profits and minimize their losses. Without such data, they might be doing a great deal of business, but discover at the end of the year that their expenditures exceeded their earnings.

Sensible people give at least as much thought to the quality and achievement of their lives as they do to their businesses. Each asks himself, "Where am I going with my life? What am I doing that is of value? In what ways am I gaining and improving? And which practices should I increase, and which should I eliminate?"

Few people make such reckonings. Many of those that do, do so on their own, without consulting an expert's opinion. These same people would not think of being their own business analysts and accountants, and they readily pay large sums of money to engage highly qualified experts in these fields.

Jewish ethical works urge us to regularly undergo cheshbon hanefesh, a personal accounting. We would be foolish to approach this accounting of our very lives with any less seriousness than we do our business affairs. We should seek out the "spiritual C.P.A.s," those who have expertise in spiritual guidance, to help us in our analyses.

Today I shall...

look for competent guidance in doing a personal moral inventory and in planning my future.

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